Top Moments From Head in the Clouds LA 2025 — See Photos

Scorching temperatures didn’t stop thousands from packing into Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for this year’s Head In The Clouds Festival. The annual event, produced by 88rising to spotlight Asian artists, food, and fashion, returned with even more meaning this year, as the collective celebrated its 10th anniversary. Fans braved the heat to catch history-making performances from global superstars, viral rookies, and long-awaited comebacks.

From landmark debut stages to unexpected reunions, EnVi was on site capturing the moments that made HITC LA 2025 one for the books. See all the photos from the weekend below.

Certainly one of the most awaited acts on day one, Porter Robinson’s DJ set brought out a huge crowd composed mostly of EDM lovers who brought out amazing energy to the 88rising stage.

He performed remixes of his greatest hits “Shelter”, “Cheerleader”, “Sad Machine” and more, alongside beautiful visuals on the LED screens. Besides his personal songs, Porter Robinson also remixed hit songs from Asia like NewJeans’ “ETA” as Twitch streamer Jasontheween joined him onstage, further hyping up the crowd.

Chinese artist Xin Liu made a powerful HITC debut with a set that blended bold visuals, precise choreography, and sharp vocals. Known for pushing boundaries with both style and sound, she brought an edge to the lineup that stood out. Her performance was visually engaging and musically tight, with polished choreography marking a solid introduction for festival-goers seeing her live for the first time.

Freshly-debuted Indonesian girl group No Na had their first ever live performance at Head in the Clouds, opening with their single “Superstitious” written by fellow Indonesian and 88rising-signed Stephanie Poetri.

The 4-member girl group drew in hordes of new fans, many discovering them through their dance performance of their song “shoot” that went viral the past weeks. Fans were wowed by the group’s set that showed off their enticing choreography and stable live vocals, earning them more new listeners.

Korean R&B artists Dean and Tabber delivered one of the most anticipated joint sets of the night. Tabber warmed up the crowd with solo hits like “Hysteric Glamour,” “007,” and “shut the f**k up, that’s mine,” before joining Dean for collaborative tracks including “Honey!,” “Chi-Ka,” and the unreleased “3AM Freestyle.”

Dean’s return to a U.S. stage was met with overwhelming love, as fans sang every word to “Instagram,” “BERMUDA TRIANGLE,” “DIE 4 YOU,” and “I’m Not Sorry,” closing their set on a euphoric note.

PIAO brought an effortless cool to the Head In The Clouds stage, her festival performance debut. Bringing out Stephanie Poetri for “just a girl,” and not only showing off her vocals but guitar skills, the rising artist created a set that stood out from others on the lineup. Her vocals and stage presence felt grounded and intentional, allowing the music to breathe while still keeping the audience locked in. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t demand attention, it earns it.

Always a pleasure to see live, Warren Hue brought a high-energy set that played to his strengths: sharp flow, fast pacing, and engaging stage presence. He kept the momentum going with a compact, no-frills performance that still made a strong impression.

K-pop icon G-Dragon made his long-awaited U.S. return, just months after dropping his latest project Ubermensch. Taking the stage with signature flair, the artist ran through a genre-blending set that pulled from various chapters of his career. His presence at Head In The Clouds marked a generational crossover moment, reminding everyone in the crowd why he remains one of the most influential figures in modern music.

Thailand’s 4EVE made history as the first T‑pop girl group to perform at Head In The Clouds, delivering their first-ever U.S. set, and it packed a serious punch. The seven-member group started with the global-ready, English-leaning single “Like You,” released just weeks before the festival.

They made sure to perform brand-new tracks alongside fan favorites like “Booty Bomb,” “Boys Love Girls,” and “hot2hot”. With razor-sharp choreography, confident crowd engagement, and a polished stage presence, 4EVE didn’t just check a historic milestone, they announced themselves as T-pop’s next global ambassadors. Chatting after their performance, the group told EnVi “it feels like a dream come true.”

An 88rising mainstay, Rich Brian took the stage under the blazing LA sun and immediately got the crowd moving. He ran through fan favorites like “Drive Safe,” “History,” and “Edamame,” mixing in unreleased tracks that kept the energy fresh. His stage presence was as self-assured as ever, charismatic, sharp, and fully in sync with the audience.

Japanese trio Number_i delivered one of the most sleek and stylistically cohesive sets of the weekend. Their blend of smooth vocals, coordinated visuals, and sharp wardrobe made for a performance that felt tailored to an international crowd. As a relatively new group navigating global expansion, Number_i struck a smart balance between showcasing their pop appeal and carving out their identity beyond Japan. If their HITC debut is any indication, they’re positioning themselves for a much bigger global stage.

A HITC staple at this point, DPR IAN returned with a cinematic set that pulled from across his discography, including “Calico,” “Avalon,” and “Ballroom Extravaganza.” Backed by moody visuals and sharp lighting cues, he kept the crowd engaged with a steady, confident performance.

At one point, he leaned down to sing directly to a service dog in the front row, and later amped up the energy by bringing in his guitar to play.

Arguably the most emotional moment of the entire festival came when the legendary girl group 2NE1 — CL, Park Bom, Sandara Park, Minzy — reunited on stage. As soon as the opening chords hit, it was clear the audience understood the weight of what they were witnessing. Although Park Bom couldn’t be on stage, she was with them in spirit with CL making sure to shout her out during the set.

The group ran through hits that defined a generation, “I Am The Best,” “Fire,” “Come Back Home,” with a renewed sense of power and purpose. Each member held their own, but their chemistry as a unit remained the real showstopper. For longtime fans, it was a dream realized. For any new ones, it was a masterclass in the legacy of second gen K-pop.

The Magic Show closed out the festival with a high-production finale that doubled as a nod to Jackson Wang’s upcoming Magic Man 2 era. While his appearance wasn’t exactly a well kept surprise, the energy was undeniable. He brought out a stacked lineup of guests, including Number_i for a remix of “GBAD,” MILLI, Xin Liu, Higher Brothers, Youha, Seji Oda, and more. Additionally, Twitch streamer jasontheween, and social media personality Kole also made an appearance. The set served as a fitting end to 88rising’s 10-year celebration.